Eighteen year old Harrogate student, George Couttie, has been crowned winner of the senior boys race at the English Schools’ AA Cross Country Championships.

The event in Nottingham saw hundreds of sixth form pupils representing both schools and clubs from across the nation.

The races were split into age groups – junior, intermediate, and senior – with 100 boys competing in the senior category.

George, who studies at Harrogate Grammar School, won the senior’s 7km race by a 5-second lead, with a time of 0:19:12.

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George is currently studying for his A-Levels, after which he will study sports science at the University of Charleston, in West Virginia, on a sports scholarship.

He is coached by Joanne Day at Harrogate Harriers and is hoping to run for Great Britain in the future.

Alice Couttie, George’s mother, said he has competed most weekends over the winter:

“George has high hopes for track races over summer.

“He deserves this recognition”.

Eve Whittaker, another member of Harrogate Harriers, also competed and ranked fourth place in the senior girls’ race.

She completed the 5.9km race with a time of 0:16:25.

Events or street parties being held over the bank holiday weekend can be advertised on our What’s On page for free, using the code King. 

Charles III’s coronation will take place on Saturday 6 May at Westminster Abbey, in London. He will be crowned alongside the Queen Consort.

In February 2023, North Yorkshire County Council confirmed fees for street parties held in the Harrogate district to celebrate the coronation will be waived.

The standard street closure fee of £300 is being waived from Saturday 6 May to Monday 8 May for residential streets.

Various events will be held around the Harrogate district to celebrate the royally momentous occasion.

Submissions to the Stray Ferret What’s On can be made until Friday 5 May using the discount code.

The code can only be used on Standard Listings and only for events in aid of the coronation.

Submissions will be approved before posting.

The Stray Ferret Business Awards saw 11 finalists, and one very lucky prize winner, crowned the winners of their categories.

The winners shared their reactions in the LCF LAW Winner’s Lounge.

Here is what some of them had to say.

The Golden Ticket Prize

Winner: Millie Rae

Millie Rae, of Cloud NINE, was crowned the winner of our Heads or Tails game, winning herself an overnight stay in the Presidential Suite and dinner at Grantley Hall.

In the LCF Law Winner’s Lounge, Millie said:

‘I’m very, very happy.

“We were playing heads or tails and I changed my mind at the last minute, and I managed to win! I’ll take my boyfriend with me…if he’s nice!”

Dynamic Leader Award – sponsored by Succession Wealth

Winner: Ian Baker, The Soundproofing Store

Ian Baker, founder and managing director of The Soundproofing Store, won first place in our Dynamic Leader Award.

Ian Baker with Clare Frisby (L) and Lawrence King of Succession Wealth (R)

In the LCF Law Winner’s Lounge, Ian said:

“My team put me up for this, I had nothing to do with it and I feel absolutely amazed”.

“I’ve always liked to treat people as you’d wish to be treated yourself — that’s what I always try to do”.

Best Independent Retailer Award – sponsored by the York and North Yorkshire Growth Hub

Winner: TravelGate

TravelGate is an independent travel agency in Harrogate. The company won the Best Independent Retailer Award.

Clare Frisby (L) with the TravelGate team and James Farrar, of York & North Yorkshire Growth Hub (R)

Melanie and Phil, in the LCF Law Winner’s Lounge, said:

“We are absolutely overwhelmed to have received this award.

It means so much to us – thank you to everybody”.

“There were some fabulous businesses in this category, so it is incredible to recognised”.

Digital Innovation Award – sponsored by ASE Computer Services

Winner: Strive Group

Strive Group is a connected experience agency in Harrogate.

The company took home the crown for Digital Innovation.

Clare Frisby (L) with the Strive Group team and Chris Dickinson of ASE Computers (R)

In the LCF Law Winner’s Lounge, Director Alistair Grant said:

“It felt awesome to be up on that stage and accept the award for the company”.

“There is such strength of talent in Harrogate and we wanted to show the local community the great opportunities here”.

The Stray Ferret would like to thank everyone who entered the awards and everyone who attended our event.

Thank you to all our sponsors, including all the businesses supporting our individual categories, and our lead sponsor, Prosperis.

Keep an eye on our site and social media over the coming days to see more news and photographs from the awards ceremony.

The Stray Ferret Business Awards saw 11 finalists, and one very lucky prize winner, crowned the winners of their categories.

The winners shared their reactions in the LCF LAW Winner’s Lounge.

Rising Star Under 30 Award – sponsored by Thompson’s Chartered Accountants

Winner: Laura Mounsey, Harrogate Family Law

Laura Mounsey is a Director of Harrogate Family Law, the Chair of the advisory board to the Independent Domestic Abuse Service (IDAS), as well as the youngest ever president of the Harrogate & District Law Society.

Her impressive career crowned her the winner of the Rising Star Under 30 Award.

Clare Frisby (L) with Laura Mounsey and Gyles Behbood (R) of Thompson’s Accountants

Laura told the Stray Ferret in the LCF Law Winners Lounge:

“This award means everything to me.

“I was nothing 10 years ago, so it is very honourable to be up here.

“My mum and step-dad are here tonight and I’d really be nothing without them”.

Business Growth Award – sponsored by Raworths

Winner: The Soundproofing Store

The Soundproofing store is the largest online retailer of soundproofing equipment and solutions in the UK – leading the company to win first place in the Business Growth Award.

Clare Frisby (L) with Ian Baker and Simon Morris (R) of Raworths

The team at The Soundproofing Store told us in the LCF Law Winners Lounge:

“It feels great to win. It is an award for the whole company – we feel very proud.

“Beating yourselves every year is what we’ve done, time and time again. It is thanks to our entire team.

“Thank you very much for this award”.

Unsung Hero Award – sponsored by the Big Bamboo Agency

Winner: Chris Ashby, Harrogate BID

Chris Ashby, the Street Ranger for Harrogate BID, keeps the town centre looking spotless.

Chris’s actions in helping save a man’s life in 2022 saw him take home the crown for the Unsung Hero Award.

Clare Frisby (L) with Matthew Chapman of Harrogate BID and Nicola Stamford (R) of Big Bamboo Agency

Matthew Chapman, Manager of Harrogate BID, spoke on behalf of Chris. He told the Stray Ferret in the LCF Law Winners Lounge:

“Chris will be very humbled and very proud to win this award.

“Chris is the glue that brings our team together — he is just so, so nice.

“This one is for Chris!”

Inclusivity Award – sponsored by Kempston Parkes Chartered Surveyors

Winner: Artizan Café and Creative Space

Artizan Café and Creative Space took home first prize for their work.

The café provides employment opportunities for differently-abled people and provides them with vital skills.

Liz Cluderay of the Artizan Café and Creative Space team told the Stray Ferret in the LCF Law Winners Lounge:

“Winning was an incredible feeling of huge pride. My work means a lot to me and the team mean the world to me.

“We have had the most amazing year creating what we have and this is just the icing on the cake”.

The Stray Ferret would like to thank everyone who entered the awards and everyone who attended our event.

Thank you to all our sponsors, including all the businesses supporting our individual categories, and our lead sponsor, Prosperis.

Keep an eye on our site and social media over the coming days to see more news and photographs from the awards ceremony.

A Harrogate plasterer is set to skateboard to his former home in Barry Island to raise money to help his mother.

Daniel Katchi’s mum, who is 50, was diagnosed with motor neurone disease last October after experiencing speech problems and loss of mobility in her arm.

Her son hopes to raise money to fund a speech machine controlled by eye movement and a stair lift for his parents’ home in Barry Island, near Cardiff.

Daniel, 32, moved to Harrogate from Barry Island three years ago and plans to complete the 300-mile route with a fellow skateboarder who lost his mother to motor neurone disease.

As a young boy, Daniel was gifted a skateboard by his neighbour in South Wales and fell in love with the sport immediately. He has represented the UK nationally and internationally in skateboarding.

Daniel said:

“I am determined to complete this journey.

“It’s a case of me feeling helpless and all I want to do is help my mum.”

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Setting off on Wednesday, May 4, the pair aim to cover around 50 miles per day and anticipate the journey will take 5 days. They hope to cross the finish line on Sunday, May 7, and will be greeted by his family.

The two skateboarders will ride over to Leeds from Harrogate, where the journey will officially start. They aim to stop in Sheffield, Birmingham, Cheltenham and Bristol before completing their journey in Barry.

Daniel established a route that will predominantly follow bike paths and some pavements.

They have encouraged fellow skateboarders to join a leg of their journey and free merchandise will be given to those who do.

To follow Daniel’s progress, visit his GoFundMe page.

The Stray Ferret Business Awards saw 11 finalists, and one very lucky prize winner, crowned the winners of their categories.

The winners shared their reactions in the LCF LAW Winner’s Lounge.

Employee Development Award – sponsored by Jones Myers Family Law Solicitors

Winner: Grantley Hall

Grantley Hall is a luxury 5-star hotel and wellness retreat near Ripon.

Grantley was crowned the winner of the Employee Development Award.

In the LCF Law Winner’s Lounge, the Grantley team said:

“To be recognised for our employee development makes us immensely proud and is a great accolade to each and every member of our team.

“It’s our responsibility to develop our team and give them the skills that they need. This is great recognition for us”.

Digital Marketing Award – sponsored by Next Chapter

Winner: Ogden of Harrogate

Traditional jewellers, Ogden of Harrogate, took first place in the Digital Marketing Award.

The Ogden’s team with Clare Frisby and Daniel Swepson of Next Chapter (R)

In the LCF Law Winner’s Lounge Ogden of Harrogate’s directors said:

“We are absolutely delighted to win the Digital Marketing Award. It was extraordinary to be stood on that stage.

“We are a bricks and mortar business, but it was the tech and sales team that brought this to life. We are very grateful to all the staff getting behind the campaign”.

Sustainable Business Award – sponsored by the York and North Yorkshire Growth Hub

Large Business Winner: EnviroVent

EnviroVent is a Harrogate designer and manufacturer of sustainable ventilation systems.

The company’s efforts towards becoming Net-Zero merited first place.

Clare Frisby (L) with EnviroVent and James Farrar, of York & North Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership (R)

The EnviroVent team told the Stray Ferret in the LCF Law Winners Lounge:

“To be recognised by the local business community is probably one of the biggest accolade’s you could ever have.

“It is a bit of a cliché, but sustainability is not a destination, it is a journey”.

Small Business Winner: Resurrected Bites

Resurrected Bites is a food waste organisation, operating in Knaresborough and Harrogate.

Resurrect Bites was crowned the winner of the small business award for its sustainable endeavours.

Clare Frisby (L) with Michelle Hayes of Resurrected Bites, and James Farrar (R) of York and North Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership

Michelle Hayes, Founder of Resurrected Bites, said in the LCF Law Winners Lounge:

“I just can’t believe we won, I really can’t. It is incredible – thank you so much.

“I am extremely passionate about the environment, so it is incredible to have won this award.

The Stray Ferret would like to thank everyone who entered the awards and everyone who attended our event.

Thank you to all our sponsors, including all the businesses supporting our individual categories, and our lead sponsor, Prosperis.

Keep an eye on our site and social media over the coming days to see more news and photographs from the awards ceremony.

With special thanks to Gerard Binks Photography.

Keep an eye on our social media channels for more coverage on the awards!

A big thank you to Harrogate Phoenix Players for being our paparazzi for the night!

BBC Look North’s, Clare Frisby

Richard Flinton, Chief Executive of North Yorkshire County Council

Despite multiple weather warnings and a rather inconvenient March snowfall, the first Stray Ferret Business Awards was a roaring success.

With nearly 400 guests, a crowd of paparazzi and a lot of laughter, last night’s event was a fitting celebration of business across the Harrogate district.

The Stray Ferret Business Awards showcased a variety of talent from across the area, and 11 finalists were crowned the winners of their categories.

The Harrogate district boasts a high calibre of business, which was reflected in the submissions, but the winners’ entries particularly impressed the judges.

The Winners

Dynamic Leader – sponsored by Succession Wealth

Winner: Ian Baker, The Soundproofing Store

Ian Baker is the founder and managing director of The Soundproofing Store.

Ian has led the company to become the largest online retailer of soundproofing equipment and solutions in the UK.

Ian’s employees say “his style of leadership is instrumental in the success of the business and solutions offered to customers”.

The judges agreed that Ian’s innovative, open and creative approach to leadership merited first place.

Highly Commended: Suzanna Prout, Xenonex

Suzanna Prout is the founder and managing director of  Xenonex, which offers leadership coaching and development programmes.

During covid, Suzanna shifted the business to be entirely online, which included online training and bespoke portals where users could access resources and track progress.

Suzanna also led the business to win the CorporateLiveWire Innovation & Excellence Award for Management Training Specialist of the Year – UK.

The judges felt Suzanna demonstrated incredible resilience and established necessary flexibility during challenging times.

Best Independent Retailer – sponsored by York and North Yorkshire Growth Hub

Winner: TravelGate

TravelGate is an independent travel agency in Harrogate, offering clients bespoke expertise and advice on holiday destinations.

As chaos ensued during covid, TravelGate was inundated with policies to follow and holidays to amend. However, the agency remained open throughout several lockdowns to provide support for clients, both locally and abroad.

The judges believed TravelGate’s relentless resilience and ability to adapt to such hardship made it deserving of the award.

Highly Commended: Whittams Hire

Whittams Hire offers luxury motorhome hire to the people of North Yorkshire and beyond.

Since launching in 2018, the company now boasts nine motorhomes and has even opened a coffee shop alongside the office space.

The judges felt the company keeps customer service at its core, – evidenced with a 100% 5-star Google review record – which merited a highly commended.

Highly Commended: Watermark Gallery

Watermark Gallery is a Harrogate art gallery selling original, contemporary and modern British art.

During the pandemic, the gallery offered customers the opportunity to watch live artist exhibitions through the gallery window – growing a large customer base.

In 2020, the gallery also adapted its space into becoming a workshop space to teach and learn.

The judges felt Watermark Gallery’s business growth and dynamic approach to retail was deserving of a highly commended placing.

Digital Innovation – sponsored by ASE Computer Services Ltd

Winner: Strive Group

Strive Group is a connected experience agency in Harrogate.

The company used its Interactive Customer Experience (ICE) software to establish a virtual specification configurator for Volvo.

The immersive software permitted customers to explore the features of the car, including testing the sound system, in aid of the Volvo C40 Recharge launch.

Strive Group’s cutting-edge innovation dazzled the judges.

Employee Development – sponsored by Jones Myers Family Law Solicitors

Winner: Grantley Hall

Grantley Hall is a luxury five-star hotel and wellness retreat near Ripon.

Grantley Hall offers staff an on-site training facility, as well as live-in accommodation, free meals and wellbeing support.

Staff can access additional training services from senior staff members, including Michelin-starred chef, Shaun Rankin.

Grantley Hall stood out to the judges with its five-star staff development programme.

Best Digital Marketing Campaign – sponsored by Next Chapter

Winner: Ogden of Harrogate

Historic jeweller Ogden of Harrogate impressed the judges with its virtual advent calendar.

The campaign enabled the jeweller to bring its annual Christmas catalogue online.

Each day, an animated image featuring the corresponding door was emailed to subscribers, showcasing a piece of jewellery.

The judges were impressed by Ogden’s strategy to marry the digital and traditional retail, delivering impressive results in sales.

Sustainable Business – sponsored by York and North Yorkshire Growth Hub

Winner: EnviroVent (Large Business)

EnviroVent is a designer and manufacturer of sustainable ventilation systems in Harrogate.

The company has recently moved from two separate sites into one zero-carbon building that uses low carbon heating and energy sources.

EnviroVent also aims to plant 5,000 trees a year in partnership with MoreTrees.

The judges were impressed by EniroVent’s clear objectives to becoming entirely net-zero carbon.

Winner: Resurrected Bites (Small Business)

Resurrected Bites is a food waste organisation, with pay-as-you-feel cafés and community groceries in Harrogate and Knaresborough.

The business collects short shelf life and excess food from local producers to distribute via the cafés.

Any food not fit for human consumption is passed onto livestock and peelings are gifted to allotments to make compost.

The judges felt that Resurrected Bites is solving an important issue by aiming to fill bellies instead of bins.

Rising Star Under 30 – sponsored by Thompsons Chartered Accountants

Winner: Laura Mounsey, Harrogate Family Law

Laura Mounsey qualified as a solicitor with Harrogate Family Law four years ago and is already a director of the firm. An equity stake in a legal firm usually takes at least 10 years to achieve.

Laura is the chair of the advisory board to the Independent Domestic Abuse Service (IDAS), as well as the youngest ever president of the Harrogate & District Law Society.

Laura’s clients describe her as “extraordinarily approachable and knowledgeable”.

Laura’s incredibly impressive career stood out to the judges. They agreed she would continue to rise throughout her career.

Highly Commended: Tiffany Snowden, Willow Heritage

Tiffany Snowden is the lead heritage consultant and director of Harrogate environmental consultancy Blue Willow Heritage.

Tiffany is just one of 500 women in the UK to be granted membership of the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists (CifA), the highest level of accreditation that the most senior archaeology body in the UK offers.

Tiffany was also invited to join the Association for Studies in the Conservation of Historic Buildings (ASCHB), the UK’s premier body for the study of architectural preservation.

In just two years, Tiffany has led Blue Willow Heritage to become one of the top small heritage consultancies in Britain.

Tiffany dazzled the judges with her career to date and they believe she is certainly one to watch.

Highly Commended: James Owen Thomas, JOT’s Gallery

James Owen Thomas is an environmental artist and owner of JOT’s Gallery.

James was diagnosed with autism aged three and has since used this, as well as his love for the environment, as a means of inspiration for his art.

James is an ambassador the Tree Council, supporting its Force For Nature campaign.

James’s artwork has helped raise funds for The Alzheimer’s Society, Autism Trust, Disability Action Yorkshire, National Autistic Society and many more.

The judges believed James is a star in the making.

Business Growth – sponsored by Raworths Solicitors

Winner: The Soundproofing Store

The Soundproofing Store has seen consistent growth over the last eight years.

The company has recently established a commercial client sector, which resulted in significant growth in revenue and network.

The Soundproofing Store also created the only soundproofing floor mat without the need for an over boarding layer. Sales of the mat amassed to over 11,000.

The judges noted that The Soundproofing Store’s product and service innovation has led it to such significant growth.

Highly Commended: Bamber & Brown

Bamber & Brown is a hotspot for takeaway coffee that trades out of a converted horse box.

Since 2021, the company has seen significant financial growth, developed horse shelter into a pizza van and has recently acquired a premises license, which will be used to create a prosecco bar.

The judges loved Bamber & Brown’s story and were impressed by its exponential growth in just 18 months.

Highly Commended: TMR Foods

TMR Foods supplies premium quality fish and seafood across Yorkshire.

During covid, the new business began doing private deliveries, which resulted in a loyal customer base.

TMR has since added two more vans onto the roads, established a base in Ripon to work from, and is now developing pre-packed ranges to supply to retailers.

TMR Foods’ resilience throughout covid and subsequent growth stood out to the judges.

Unsung Hero – sponsored by Bigbamboo

Winner: Chris Ashby, Harrogate BID

In 2021, Harrogate BID recruited Chris Ashby to keep Harrogate town centre clean.

As the town’s street ranger, Chris Ashby has removed 126 graffiti tags, improved 38 building façades, and disposed of 57 used needles.

His actions in July 2022 hit the headlines, when he rescued a man who was trying to take his own life in the early hours of the morning.

The judges were very impressed by Chris’s commitment to maintaining the town’s beauty, but felt his actions in helping save a man’s life meant he was undoubtedly the Stray Ferret’s Unsung Hero.

Highly commended: Kayti Mewis, Mumbler

Kayti joined Mumbler as volunteer after moving to Harrogate and is now the content creator and social media manager.

Kayti has added value across the whole company, including working in the sales sector, creating inspiration for parents during lockdown and is even due to co-present the Harrogate Mumbler Awards in November.

Sally Haslewood, founder of Mumbler, said:

“To be honest, I don’t know what I would have done if she’d turned down the role, as she had fast become my right-hand woman.”

The judges felt Kayti’s work is exactly why the Unsung Hero award was established – she is a vital cog in the functioning of Mumbler.

Inclusivity Award – sponsored by Kempston-Parkes Chartered Surveyors

Winner: Artizan Café and Creative Space

Artizan Café and Creative Space is a Harrogate café and workshop staffed entirely by adults with learning difficulties.

The café provides them with work experience and employment opportunities.

The staff learn vital skills such as food preparation, customer service, handling money, food hygiene and more.

The judges felt Artizan Café and Creative Space allows differently-abled people to fulfil a dream of paid employment.

Highly Commended: Horticap

Horticap is a Harrogate charity that has provided training in outdoor skills to adults with learning disabilities for nearly 40 years.

Horticap students can learn about garden maintenance, social skills, craft work and hospitality.

Horticap aims to immerse its students into society and provide them with skills that can be replicated at home and towards new career paths.

The judges commended both Horticap’s long-standing service and the significant impact the charity makes on the students’ lives.

The Stray Ferret would like to thank everyone who entered the awards and everyone who attended yesterday’s event.

Thank you to all our sponsors, including all the businesses supporting our individual categories, and our lead sponsor, Prosperis.

Keep an eye on our site and social media over the coming days to see more news and photographs from the awards ceremony.

A dancing event will be held at Ripley Town Hall with the aim of reviving traditional music and dance of the Yorkshire Dales.

The evening is being hosted by The No Lazy Dancing Dance Band, which was formed specifically for the event.  It aims to host regular dances within different communities afterwards.

Some of the traditional dances of the Dales include the Kendall Ghyll, the Huntsmans Chorus and Heel & Toe Polka.

The band will perform live folk music to accompany the dances and songs will be played for guests to enjoy in between dancing.

Guests can look forward to a variety of songs, including Buckden Feast, Swaledale Lasses and I’ll Get Wedded in my Auld Claes.

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People of all ages are welcome. The organisation said it would offer something  “different from the digital world” for children.

No prior dancing experience is necessary. A caller will be present at the event to teach the steps, as well as prompting the dances throughout.

There will also be a bar for people to enjoy refreshments.

Mark Wallace, member of The No Lazy Dancing Dance Band, said:

“It’s a simple way of getting together and having a dance.

“A little like an old-time rave”.

The event will take place on Saturday 1 April from 6.30-10pm.

To reserve a space on the dance floor, guests can email nidd.music.and.dance@gmail.com or call 07714 939646.

Payment will be taken on the door.

The Sawley Arms near Ripon has been granted planning permission for a café and shop to be added onto the site.

The plans, submitted by Leeds-based NJ-Architects, were approved by Harrogate Borough Council last week.

The building will be extended to create a village shop and coffee shop, and the current conservatory will be replaced with a new seating area.

The shop will include household essentials, as well as fresh morning goods and takeaway sandwiches.

The deli-style shop will feature ready-to-go food which can be reheated at home, and a coffee shop will also be added.

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The plans will create new jobs roles for the local community.

Steve Harryman, project manager of The Sawley Arms, said:

“We wanted to expand the number of covers and create more space for our guests.

“The plans will increase the viability of the pub.”

The proposals have been under discussion for eight years and are finally coming to fruition. The pub said Sawley is “a delicate area for development, as it is part of an AONB”.

The completion date is not yet certain and “depends on builder availability”, Mr Harryman said.

The sketch outlines the hopes for the pub’s transformation

He added:

“This is a great opportunity to expand the pub’s offerings to the local community. Those in nearby accommodation will be able to pick something up from us for convenience.

“It is great the locals are supportive of the pub, so we would like to give something back.”

The Sawley Arms currently offers all-day dining, as well as on-site accommodation for guests.